To London and Back - Fat Quarterly Retreat 2013

Mostly, the Fat Quarterly Retreat is about the people. I had the best time - these are truly 'my people'. That picture is of Cindy's quilt from the Modern Stitching Bee, and includes some of my bee mates too. From left to right, Susan, Cindy, me, Nicky, Emily and Di.

I've been back almost a week, and still awake and sleeping at the wrong times, but it was so worth it. I got to see so many of my friends and meet many new ones that I only knew via the internet, and happily meet more that I had never met at all before. I did not take a lot of pictures during the retreat, I talked and laughed and learned and just had fun instead.



There was a wonderful bag of loot from fabulous sponsors.



Susan gave me that wonderful pouch with the embroidery on the side. For the sample swap, I received that beautiful mini quilt from Kris, the lovely zig zag pouch and round pincushion from Susan and the wonderful long skinny pincushion with tiny liberty hexagons from Justine. Thank you all, these are beautiful.



I had a great time with Krista, a long time Canadian internet friend who I finally met in person in London. She gave me that cute little Liberty print ring which I am wearing as I write this post. The Liberty print key fob was made by Hadley and the Comma pendant was Kerry's creation. The yarn is from the my Liberty shopping trip with Cindy and Marit, and a scarf was started on the plane ride home. The wallet is from my shopping trip to Cath Kidson with Shevvy and Krista.



There was a market too at the FQR. I bought this excellent hand printed fabric from Leanne Fanny. You can find it in her store here.



Here is the stack of Liberty scraps and strips I bought. Well, there are a few half yards at the bottom. I went to the Liberty store with Krista and again with Cindy and Marit. Krista and I also found a stack of scraps at Shaukat. (I might have also purchased some sample books there too, but those are for another day.)

Lest you think all I did was shop, I should mention that I also went to a real London play, which included heading out early to get the cheap same day tickets, popped into a couple of Museums, walked about Tralgar Square and Camden Gardens, and had several lovely meals with friends.



I took wonderful classes from excellent teachers. I made this improv mini in improv class with Lu and then I started the hand quilting in her hand quilting class. I also took photography with Judith who shared excellent tips, and paper piecing with the very talented Joanna and Julianna. I will share my typewriter as soon as I get it finished.



I came home with excellent books, by Lu Summers and Brioni Greenberg. They even autographed them for me, they are both such lovely women.



I stayed here, at the Radisson. It was so fun to return to the same hotel on the same street, to use the same subway station and get coffee at the same Starbucks and walk around the same neighbourhood. I do love London, and am already saving for next year.



Here are the trivets I made for the sample swap and Elisabeth's name tag (the "e" is from Diane's pattern which is here.)



I put the Octagonal Orb quilt in the hands of the Siblings Together folks. They loved it and told me they would aim to give it to a boy, as the Always Bee Learning women and I had planned. There were many other excellent quilts handed over that day too. You can see some of them here.



And I wore this fantastic name tag the whole time, made by the lovely Sarah - who I did get to meet as she was able to arrange things so that she could come.

So, that is my FQR 2013 recap post - you can read some other posts about the retreat by going here. It is hard to explain how much fun I had hanging out with my people - people who like to make things, especially quilts.

Thank you to the Fat Quarterly Team, the teachers, the sponsors, and especially to the participants. I expect I will be back next year.

Best,

Leanne

Octagonal Orb - Ta Da and on the way to London

There she is, the Octagonal Orb quilt. This quilt is about 60" x 76" or she was before she was washed. Now she is crinkly and soft. This block was designed by Elizabeth Hartman and the tutorial is here. The blocks for this quilt were made by my bee mates from the Always Bee Learning bee and me. It is going to be handed over to Siblings Together at the Fat Quarterly Retreat later this week, right now it is with me at the airport, soon to be in the air.



I am so proud of this quilt. The talented and generous women in Always Bee Learning each pulled out 80 pieces of fabric (that includes the various grey solids) and stitched them together for each single block. Some of them made two blocks. Many of them fussy cut fabrics. We all tried to keep a teenage boy in mind - it is colourful but not girly, and many of these fabrics will appeal especially to boys.



For the back, I pieced lots of Kona Charcoal and some long strips and then I just sliced and inserted them, hoping for the best. I am so happy with how this back turned out.



The quilting is not at all straight lines, two are about 1/2" apart, then one about 1/4" apart. The not straight lines gives it an organic, and urban feel, not sweet, or pretty or fancy. I consider this kind of quilting to be modern industrial.



After a wash and dry, the quilt is soft and cuddly. All this quilting did not make it stiff at all. And it has been washed and dried in warm water and warm dryer, it is clearly sturdy and fine for a teenager.



This quilt used 1000 metres of Aurafil 40 wt. grey thread. I will count the lines when I put on the label, a lot of quilting.



I bound it by machine, using Marianne's excellent tutorial which is here.  And look, I managed to get all four corners the first time round.



These last two photos were taken before she was washed.



So 80 pieces of fabric a block, 920 pieces in total plus the borders and the back. Many fussy cuts too. 1000 metres of quilting thread (half is in the bobbin so really the quilting stretches 500 metres). This quilt is full of love and care, and I hope that it will wrap a teenage boy in caring when he needs it, when he is lonely for his siblings. Quilters are really generous, and have sent lots of love with this quilt.



All packed, we are boarding in 5 minutes. A little sappy for a Tuesday night. Thank you to all my friends in Always Bee Learning, this project is one to be proud of.

Edited: I delivered this quilt into the hands of the Siblings Together representatives and it was a wonderful evening where many many beautiful quilts were donated. I am linking up to 100 Quilts for Kids.

Best,

Leanne

Last day to join Q3 of the FAL - announcing the generous Q3 sponsors.

There is one day left to link up your list for Q3 of the Finish-A-Long - that is a list of the UFOs that you want to have done and out of your sewing room by the end of September. Go here to link your list. You have until midnight, Mountain Standard Time, July 15, 2013.

To entice you, here is the list of the fantastic and generous Q3 sponsors. Remember, each finish will be an entry in the random draws for these prizes at the end of Q3.

$75 Gift Certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop

A Moda Jelly Roll from Green Fairy Quilts

£25 from the Organic Stitch Co.

A charm pack from Simply Solids

€20 Gift Certificate from Fluffy Sheep Quilting

$30 Gift Certificate from Knotted Threads

$25 Gift Certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics

Surprise Package from Rhonda at Quilter in the Gap

 

£25 Gift Certificate from Tikki London

$25 Gift Certificate from Pink Castle Fabrics

Prize to be announced from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop

Fabric Bundle from Sew me a Song

Thank you to all our sponsors! I have to admit that I have shopped at each and every one of these shops - truly I have - shh, don't tell my sweetheart, ok? Our sponsors are generous and lovely to deal with. I hope you will visit them, consider them if you are shopping, and thank them for their support of the FAL.

So no more delays, post your list so that you will have a chance to win in the draws at the end of Q3.

In other news, I spent much of the weekend working on things for the Fat Quarterly Retreat and packing and such. I even went to a really fun sew day with my friends at the Edmonton Modern Quilt Guild. 

 

I will share a proper Ta Da post with you tomorrow or Tuesday, but for tonight, here is a picture of the finished, and currently in the washer, quilt that the very talented members of Always Bee Learning and I made for Siblings Together. (the Octagonal Orb block is by Elizabeth Hartman and the tutorial is here). I can't wait to show it off more, but it is too dark for more pictures now.

Best,

Leanne

Congratulations to the winners for Q2 of the Finish-A-Long

I spent tonight looking at beautiful finished quilts and projects for Q2 of the FAL and reading stories about them. Such awesome finishes, well worth a look if you have a minute or two. Each one of the finishes is a winner.

I would also like to thank our generous sponsors for Q2 of the FAL! I do hope you visit these sponsors - they are all lovely stores which I love and have shopped at myself. Do consider thanking them for their support for the FAL when you are checking them out.

So, the prize winners for Q2 of the FAL were all picked randomly, and here they are:

The first prize in the list is:

$75 Gift Certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop

And the winner is Jennie, who blogs at Jennie's Threads, for this wonderful finish:

The next prize is:

A Moda Jelly Roll from Green Fairy Quilts

And the winner is Julie, who blogs at Distant Pickles, for finishing this lovely bag:

The next prize is:

£25 Gift Certificate from the Organic Stitch Co.

The winner is Deb who blogs at Simplelife Quilts, for this lovely table runner:

The next prize is:

A Dresden Plate Cushion Kit from Avery Homestore

And the winner is Lisa who is on flickr as Lisa at Seafern Cottage, for finishing this lovely pillow cover: 

The next prize is:

Set of four mini charm packs from Simply Solids

And the winner is Hadley who blogs at Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle, for this wonderful quilt:

The next prize is:

A bundle of eight fat quarters of Life in the Jungle from Riley Blake from Fabric Spot

The winner is Katie who blogs at Katie Mae Quilts, for this fun quilt:

The next prize is:

€20 Gift Certificate from Fluffy Sheep Quilting

And the winner is Nicolette who blogs at Dutch Comfort, for this lovely quilt:

The next prize is:

$30 Gift Certificate from Knotted Threads

And the winner is Ange, who blogs at Heart of Charnwood, for finishing this wonderful quilt:

The next prize is:

$25 Gift Certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics

And the winner is Cindy, who blogs at Fluffy Sheep Quilting for finishing her handy hat:

The next prize is:

Surprise Package from Rhonda at Quilter in the Gap

And the winner is Rachel who blogs at The Life of Riley for finishing this pretty quilt:

The next prize is:

 

£25 Gift Certificate from Tikki London

And the winner is Sarah from Narcoleptic in a Cupboard for finishing this wonderful quilt:

The next prize is:

$25 Gift Certificate from Christa Quilts

And the winner is Jane, who blogs at a smidgen of joy for finishing this lovely quilt:

Sheesh, that took a while to put together. I stole everyone's pictures from their blogs or flickr. If anyone prefers that I take their picture down, let me know.

I am heading to bed. I will email all of the winners in a bit or in the morning to get your details to pass onto the sponsors or feel free to contact me first. Congratulations to everyone for the prizes and especially for all the finishes.

Now go and finish your Q3 list and get it posted, there are loads of good sponsors for Q3 already, I will tell you about them on Sunday.

Best,

Leanne